A 9-hole pay-and-play golf course will this month heighten the multiple attractions of the newly opened Amida Racquets & Fitness Spa when Amida Golf is unveiled to club members and public alike. Just a few months after its January 2004 opening, Amida is strengthening its promise of ‘total well-being‘ with the addition of a superb and mature golf course, accompanied by a golf coaching academy and pro-shop; a golf simulator; a golfers‘ bar and viewing balcony; and dedicated changing rooms for golfers.
Set within a prime 70-acre site, located between Twickenham and Hampton and close to Richmond, Amida Golf will be accessible to club members, day spa visitors and members of the public – of whatever ability or age. A ‘Young Masters Golf Programme‘ will introduce a new generation to the attractions, skills and enjoyment of the game as part of Amida Golf’s aim to encourage all ages to try out golf for the first time.
General manager, Miles Hill explains, “Amida Racquets & Fitness Spa offers top of the range facilities to provide for the ultimate workout and the most indulgent of pampering alike in this fabulous fitness and spa-cum-country club concept. The addition of Amida Golf will also help to alleviate the stresses and strains of modern, urban life in the most convivial setting …and just eight miles from Central London.”
Amida’s golf pro, Suzy Watt, who is chairman of the WPGA, highlights the superiority of the golf course at Amida. “In a way, the golf course is actually very old – as its fully established trees will testify – since it originally dates back to World War II and was previously a public golf course with a run-down club house and a driving range.
“However, in the past few months, a £500,000 upgrade has been undertaken by Barrelfield Golf on behalf of Amida so that golfers can count upon a well-manicured course with re-contoured greens. Three new USGA specification greens have been introduced and six greens re-laid. Holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 have been redesigned and two water features enhanced between holes 2 and 3.
“An extensive programme of planting including over fifty new trees has also been carried out, all the tees been redesigned and there’s a new high-tech irrigation system in place. The result is that we have a 2,700-yard par 35, mature tree-lined parkland course which is undoubtedly one of the finest nine hole courses in the south east of England and far superior to a standard pay-and-play course.”
Amida www.amidaclubs.com.
Barrelfield www.barrelfieldgolf.co.uk
Golf complex re-opens 8 miles from central London
